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Pope Saint Paul VI (3 April 1969): “Although the text of the Roman Gradual—at least that which concerns the singing—has not been changed, the Entrance antiphons and Communions antiphons have been revised for Masses without singing.”

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Views from the Choir Loft

St. Josemaría and the Mass

Andrew Leung · August 4, 2016

T IS NO SECRET that St. Josemaría Escrivá had a great love for the Old Mass. He was one of the few priests who obtained an indult from the Vatican to continue celebrating the Tridentine Mass after the Second Vatican Council. Here are some pictures, which you might have seen before, of Msgr. Escrivá celebrating the Traditional Latin Mass. I would like to draw your attention to a few details that show the Masses he celebrated were in the Extraordinary Form. If you look carefully, you will see him wearing the maniple on his left hand, the altar cards on the altar and in front of the tabernacle, and the host being placed on the corporal instead of on the paten.

CTL St Josemaria EF 1 CTL St Josemaria EF 2 CTL St Josemaria EF 3 CTL St Josemaria EF 4 CTL St Josemaria EF 5 CTL St Josemaria EF 6 CTL St Josemaria EF 7 CTL St Josemaria EF 8 CTL St Josemaria EF 9

S YOU CAN TELL, St. Josemaría definitely knows how to appreciate true beauty. A lot of people in the Church like to criticize that. They think that one should save money on vestments, sacred vessels, sacred art and other decorations in the church, and give those money to the poor. St. Josemaría saves the best for God. He and his companions lived very simply and they serve the physical poor through their daily works. In the Mass, they feed those who are poor spiritually by bringing Jesus to them through the sacraments and the beauty of art. In the secular world nowadays, we definitely need true art in our churches so that people can see God, who is the source of all beauty.

HERE IS ANOTHER rare and interesting picture of St. Josemaría accompanied by other priests. I really have no clue what occasion this might be. You can see the maniples on the priests’ arms and their stoles were crossed underneath their chasubles. Could this be a concelebrated Mass or an Ordination? Please share your thoughts on our Facebook Page.

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Andrew Leung

Andrew Leung currently serves the music director of Vox Antiqua, conductor of the Cecilian Singers, and music director at Our Lady of China Church.—(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Job Opening • $65,000 per year +
    A parish 15 minutes away from me is looking for a choir director and organist. The parish is filled with young families. When I began my career, I would have jumped at such an opportunity! Saint Patrick’s in Grand Haven has a job opening for a music director paying $65,000 per year including benefits (plus weddings & funerals). Notice the job description says: “our vision for sacred music is to move from singing at Mass to truly singing the Mass wherein … especially the propers, ordinaries, and dialogues are given their proper place.” I lived in Kansas for 15 years, Texas for 10 years, and Los Angeles for 10 years. Michigan is the closest place I know to heaven!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Reminder” — Month of November (2025)
    On a daily basis, I speak to people who don’t realize we publish a free newsletter (although they’ve followed our blog for years). We have no endowment, no major donors, no savings, and refuse to run annoying ads. As a result, our mailing list is crucial to our survival. Signing up couldn’t be easier: simply scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Offertory” at Catholic Funerals
    I have argued that the OFFERTORY—at least in its ancient form—is more of a responsory than an antiphon. The 1962 Missal specifically calls it “Antiphona ad Offertorium.” From now on, I plan to use this beautiful setting (PDF) at funerals, since it cleverly inserts themes from the absolution of the body. Tons more research needs to be done on the OFFERTORY, which often is a ‘patchwork’ stitching together various beginnings and endings of biblical verses. For instance, if you examine the ancient verses for Dómine, vivífica me (30th Sunday in Ordinary Time) you’ll discover this being done in a most perplexing way. Rebecca Maloy published a very expensive book on the OFFERTORY, but it was a disappointment. Indeed, I can’t think of a single valuable insight contained in her book. What a missed opportunity!
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Gospel Options for 2 November (“All Souls”)
    We’ve been told some bishops are suppressing the TLM because of “unity.” But is unity truly found in the MISSALE RECENS? For instance, on All Souls (2 November), any of these Gospel readings may be chosen, for any reason (or for no reason at all). The same is true of the Propria Missæ and other readings—there are countless options in the ORDINARY FORM. In other words, no matter which OF parish you attend on 2 November, you’ll almost certainly hear different propers and readings, to say nothing of different ‘styles’ of music. Where is the “unity” in all this? Indeed, the Second Vatican Council solemnly declared: “Even in the liturgy, the Church has no wish to impose a rigid uniformity in matters which do not implicate the faith or the good of the whole community.”
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Our Father” • Musical Setting?
    Looking through a Roman Catholic Hymnal published in 1859 by Father Guido Maria Dreves (d. 1909), I stumbled upon this very beautiful tune (PDF file). I feel it would be absolutely perfect to set the “Our Father” in German to music. Thoughts?
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”
    My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 12 October 2025) talks about an ‘irony’ or ‘paradox’ regarding the 1960s switch to a wider use (amplior locus) of vernacular in the liturgy.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“The production of this book was too far advanced for notice to be taken of the new translation of the Hebrew psalter into Latin by the professor of the Biblical Institute at Rome. The Holy Father’s permission to use it in the divine office when properly adapted for the purpose will prove a welcome boon.”

— Father Cuthbert Lattey (15 Nov. 1944)

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